Last Call for Western Maine

*Deadline for reservations is June 13.  I currently have one last space available (for a male) on the Claybrook Mountain Lodge trip.  Due to a series of late cancellations, I have TEN spaces available on my Rangeley Lakes trip.  These trips are open to anyone with an interest in birds - club members (ANY club), Massbirders, experts and beginners alike.  Due to their biodiversity nature, these trips can be (and have been) enjoyed by non-birding spouses and significant others.

CLAYBROOK MOUNTAIN LODGE
Saturday, June 26 to Wednesday, June 30
Claybrook Mountain Lodge is set in the Highland Plantation in Somerset County, Maine. Claybrook is unique because it's located at the northern edge of the eastern deciduous forest and the southern edge of the boreal forest. Add to this habitat mix the extensive grasslands and marshlands a few miles to the south, and its easy to understand why birders consider this one of Maine's best inland birding hot spots. This trip will concentrate on Maine's boreal specialties including Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Lincoln's Sparrow and Bicknell's Thrush. Participants can expect to do some canoeing and moderate hiking. Time will also be taken to enjoy the flora and fauna along the way. The Lodge is rustic, comfortable and inviting. sleeping 14. With the Modified American Plan, all of our meals will be provided. Between them, our hosts Greg and Pat Drummond bring over 25 years experience as a Registered Master Maine Guide, a chef, an intimate knowledge of the local wildlife and outstanding old-fashioned, hearty New England home cooking.  Please contact me for additional information and reservations (required by June 13).

RANGELEY LAKES REGION
Wednesday, June 30 to Sunday, July 4.
Rangeley, Maine and the Rangeley Lakes Region lie some 250 miles north of Boston, exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole. For over 12 years, the Brookline Bird Club Weekend Trip to the Rangeley Lakes Region has been introducing birders to the rich diversity of the lakes and mountains of Western Maine. Of the 156 species of birds recorded so far, the main focus of the trip is the area’s boreal specialties - Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Lincoln's Sparrow and Bicknell’s Thrush. Twenty three species of warbler breed in the region, as well as Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and both Red and White-winged Crossbill. Being a biodiversity trip at heart, we also take time to stop and observe the flora and fauna along the way - mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, trees, ferns, wildflowers and more. Long standing traditions include Boy Scout Road, the Kennebago River Run and the Boreal Barbecue, complete with tall birding tales and s’mores around the campfire. Participants can expect to do some canoeing and moderate hiking, including an optional trek up Saddleback Mountain for Bicknell's Thrush.  Please contact me for additional information and reservations (required by June 13).

Eddie

HOTLINE: Black Rails, Plum Island

Thanks to Marshall Iliff, Jeremiah Trimble, Steve Grinley, Sue McGrath, and Graham Taylor for the following.

 

Please follow all rules when listening for these birds.

 

Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black Rails (!) continue at Plum Island -- directions

 

Massbird,

 

After some deliberation and after another evening of information, Jeremiah

and I have decided to post directions to the Black Rails (!) on Plum Island.

As with our initial decision to not reveal the location, we do this with

caution and hope that the Massbird community understands our reasoning. We

are reversing our position for several reasons:

 

1) It seems that these birds will consistently call in the evening (and

maybe the morning too) and therefore we hope they will be easily gettable by

visiting birders. Last evening they were heard from 6:45 to about 8:15 and

were singing fairly consistently, reducing the temptation to use tape. It

sounds like that with patience and good conditions, this will be an

unprecedented opportunity to hear Black Rail in Massachusetts.

 

2) The Plum Island refuge staff are aware of the circumstances and the

temptation for birders to break the rules. They will be regularly patrolling

the area, especially during morning and evening areas, and anyone breaking

the rules is very likely to be cited.

 

3) The birds appear to call from a very dense, very wet area. Anyone tempted

to try to see the birds would not be able to do so anyway, since it is

impossible (and illegal) to walk out to where they call from.

 

4) I trust that all birders will understand the concerns about this

sensitive bird, be content to hear their unique call, and not try to see

them. In this case in particular, birders should be on their best behavior.

 

As seen in Steve Grinley's post, the big news from last night was that there

were in fact two birds present, both singing the kikidrrr call and

presumably both males. The fact that there are two birds near each other

will probably keep the calling rates high as they defend territories against

one another. The possibility remains that females, which give different

shorter and more subtle calls, may be present as well. If so, these birds

could very well nest successfully, which would be the northernmost nesting

in the country if confirmed. When Jeremiah and I were there on 31 May, we

thought at one point that we heard a second bird sing, but the notion seemed

so surprising that we did not have the confidence to count two. Now, it

seems certain that we did hear a second bird.

 

So, without further ado, here are the directions: The two Black Rails are

calling from the middle of North Pool near the granite marker about 0.5 mi

north of North Pool Overlook. They are calling from the dense area of

cattails around a small tree island in the pool and thus a 100-200m from the

road.

Based on what we know so far, it seems like listening from 6:00-8:00 pm

would be ideal, but birders might try the early morning as well (as early as

the refuge is open).

 

I would recommend that birders park in the North Pool Overlook parking lot

and walk south to the granite marker. Although I believe it is legal to park

on the shoulder, I recommend walking from North Pool Overlook primarily out

of respect for those listening to the bird: engines starting, doors slamming

etc. do have an impact on the quality of a listening experience.

 

A final note. Experienced Plum Islanders have noted that the marsh at North

Pool looks better than ever before. It is loaded with Soras, Virginias, and

Green-winged Teal, and has a few Blue-winged Teal and Least Bitterns. The

refuge removed a large amount of Phragmites, and it is very likely that the

presence of the Black Rails is directly related to this. By maintaining

positive relations with between the birding community and the refuge, we may

be able to help encourage continued management

That may benefit Black Rails, if this turns out to be a regular phenomenon.

In this respect, having well-behaved birders sharing in this exciting rarity

may be a benefit, especially if they express their appreciation to the

refuge for their excellent management of North Pool for freshwater marsh

birds.

 

Good birding and good luck to those who tried. Thanks to all those that

responded privately to applaud our decision to keep the birds under wraps. I

hope you also will agree that this does appear to be a safe situation, given

the refuge patrols and circumstances of evening calling, and that New

England birders now have a very rare opportunity to hear a very rare and

special bird.

 

Good luck to those who try,

 

Best,

 

Marshall Iliff

 

***

 

Subject: [MASSBIRD] Black Rail Directions Addendum

 

Just to clarify Marshall's directions, the location is aproximately .5 mi. SOUTH of the North Pool Overlook.  Last evening we (Rick Heil, Jeff Offerman and I) were standing on the road about 50 yards north of the marker.  The birds were calling from the marsh directly in front of us.  We heard two birds call simultaneously and they were about 15 degrees apart from each other, from where we were standing.  The birds called when the sky was overcast, and they were mostly silent when the sun peaked out between the clouds.  They are quite far out and total silence is needed to hear them over the bobolinks and the willets!

 

Steve Grinley

 

***

Subject: Black Rails, PRNWR ~ Electronic Devices

 

I would appreciate if you could help get the word out that playing of  electronic devices on the refuge is prohibited. Causing wildlife to  react to the playback tapes is considered disturbing wildlife, a

violation of regulations, as is using audio devices.

 

Regards,

Graham Taylor

Parker River NWR, Manager

graham_taylor@fws.gov